Martin O’Neill and Celtic Board Hold Transfer Review

CeltsAreHere understands Martin O’Neill and members of the Celtic board are due to hold a transfer window review meeting today as the club begins looking ahead to January.

The talks are expected to focus on what Celtic were unable to get done during the summer, where the squad still needs strengthened, and how those gaps can be addressed when the market reopens.

Internally, however, the summer window is understood to be viewed in a positive light.

After changes behind the scenes earlier this year, Celtic wanted recruitment to move towards a more evidence-based and process-driven model, particularly when it came to permanent signings.

There was an acceptance that not every issue in the squad could be solved in one window.

The priority with players arriving on permanent deals was to avoid forcing moves simply for the sake of filling a position. Celtic wanted greater certainty around the profile of player being brought in and were prepared to leave some work for a later window rather than make decisions they could regret.

That approach did not mean the club got everything it wanted.

Celtic missed out on Gvidas Gineitis after talks with Torino failed to produce an agreement, while other areas of the squad remained part of the discussion right through the closing stages of the window.

O’Neill also ended the market with several loan additions as Celtic worked to add depth without committing to permanent deals where the club was not fully convinced.

Today’s meeting should now give O’Neill and the board the chance to assess where the squad stands after the first weeks of competitive action.

The manager has already spoken publicly about some of the new arrivals still needing time to get up to speed, despite Celtic winning their opening five Premiership matches.

January planning will now move forward with a clearer picture of which positions still require work and which summer targets, or similar profiles, may be worth revisiting.

The feeling inside Celtic is that the recruitment process has improved, but there is also an acknowledgement that one summer was never going to complete the job.